"Support, Encouragement, Empowerment"

Employees - Policy 3.4

EMPLOYEE SAFETY
Kokua is committed to assuring the health and safety of all employees. To support this commitment, Kokua has a comprehensive Employee Safety Program which includes accident prevention, knowledge of potentially hazardous chemicals used in the workplace, practice of universal health precautions and the proper use of personal protective equipment. A copy of Kokua’s Employee Safety Program is included as Appendix A of this policy.
EMPLOYEE SAFETY TRAINING
Kokua provides all new employees with training in workplace safety that complies with all applicable state health and safety rules. Employees are expected to adhere to the safety guidelines. Employees who willfully disregard safety guidelines will face disciplinary action.
EMPLOYEE INJURY OR ILLNESS
If any employee is injured or becomes ill in the performance of their job, an EMPLOYEE INJURY REPORT must be filled out. An Injury Report must be submitted within 48 hours of the injury.   Staff should also make a verbal report to their immediate supervisor within 24 hours of the injury. 
All Employee Injury Reports are to be reviewed by the Safety Committee. Recommendations for improvement in employee safety should be made to the Employee Training Coordinator.
Upon receiving treatment, it is the employee’s responsibility to report to the medical provider that it is a worker’s compensation claim.  It is also the employee’s responsibility to keep supervisors informed of the doctor’s recommendations for working.  The employee should keep all correspondence with L&I and the doctors for future reference.
Any employee injured on the job is entitled to benefits from Labor and Industries (L&I) which may include medical treatment and Wage Replacement (time loss).
If medical treatment is sought, employees may choose any doctor who is qualified to treat the injury or disease and who is reasonably convenient to treat. Employees may get a second opinion or change doctors at any time but must first get approval from the L&I case manager.
If an employee believes the employer has discriminated against him/her because of filing a claim, or an expressed intent to file, the employee may submit a discrimination complaint within 90 days to L&I Investigations.
If an employee must miss work due to an on the job injury, the employee may:
  1. Utilize their accrued leave for sick leave until eligible for Wage Replacement.           
  2. Utilize Wage Replacement from L&I which pays a percentage of the employee’s hourly salary.
To receive Wage Replacement, a physician must authorize the extent of the injury and indicate the length of time the employee will be unable to work.
RETURN TO WORK
Kokua values the safety, health and well-being of all employees and wants to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations about the safety and health of employees and our work sites.
Should an employee become injured or ill, it is important that the employee return to employment with our company as early as is medically safe to do so. Kokua will stay in contact with the employee and the employee’s medical provider to keep up to date on the employee’s recovery.
When possible, Kokua will develop transitional (light) duty assignments for employees who are unable to return to their normal duties while recovering from their injuries.
Employees assigned to transitional duty are expected to follow the advice of the medical provider. If employee has trouble performing these duties, he/she should let the supervisor know immediately.

Accident Prevention Program (PDF)